From Plant
Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA)
by F. S. dela Cruz, Jr.
Taxon
Chrysophyllum cainito L.
Protologue
Sp. Pl.: 192 (1753).
Family
SAPOTACEAE
Chromosome
Numbers
2n = 26
Vernacular
Names
Caimito,
starapple (En). Caimite, pomme surette (Fr). Indonesia: sawo ijo
(Java), sawo hejo (Sunda), sawo kadu (Bantam). Malaysia: sawu duren,
pepulut. Philippines: caimito. Singapore: chicle durian. Thailand:
sataa appoen (Bangkok).
Origin and
Geographic Distribution
Caimito
is indigenous to the West Indies, spread early over tropical America
and now it is cultivated throughout the tropics. In South-East Asia it
is most frequent in the Philippines, Thailand and southern Indo-China.
Uses
Caimito fruit is usually
consumed fresh and may also be used as an ingredient of ice cream and
sherbet. The bark, latex, fruit and seeds possess medicinal properties.
The reddish-brown wood is suitable for construction purposes, and the
mature branches are used as a medium to grow orchids. The tree is much
appreciated as an ornamental.
Production and International Trade
Caimito
is grown mostly as a backyard tree or as a component of mixed orchards.
The Philippines had a total area of 7600 ha in 1987 and the production
was 25 389 t.
Properties
Caimito fruit has
53—63% edible portion, the tough rind being inedible, and contains per
100 g edible portion: water 80.5—82.6 g, protein 0.7—1.3 g, fat 0.6—1.1
g, carbohydrates 15.3—17.4 g, fibre trace—0.7 g, ash 0.2—0.3 g, calcium
14—17 mg, phosphorus 9—13 mg, iron 0.2—0.4 mg, vitamin A trace — 10 IU,
thiamine 0.01—0.02 mg, riboflavin 0.01—0.02 mg, niacin 0.8—0.9 mg, and
vitamin C 6—7 mg. The energy value is 280—300 kJ per 100 g. Analyses in
Central America show appreciably higher maximum values for all
constituents except water, fat and carbohydrates.
Description
An
evergreen tree, conforming to Troll's architectural model, up to 30 m
tall, with white gummy latex. Branchlets numerous, plagiotropic, brown
hairy, glabrescent; the upright basal parts of successive leading
branches align to form the trunk. Leaves alternate, spreading, oblong
to obovate, 5—16 cm x 3—6 cm, leathery, reddish ferruginous-sericeous
on both sides, quickly glabrescent above, almost parallel secondary
nerves very characteristic; petioles 0.6—1.7 cm long. Inflorescences
axillary on current season's shoots, with 5—35 clustered, small,
yellowish to purplish-white flowers; sepals 5, circular to ovate;
corolla tubular, ca. 4 mm long, lobes 5, ovate; stamens 5; stigma
7—11-lobed. Fruit an obovoid-globose berry, 5—10 cm in diameter,
purplish-brown or yellowish-green; skin thin, glossy, glabrous,
leathery; flesh purple or white, 3—12 mm thick, soft and juicy,
surrounding the 4—11-celled endocarp, which is star-like when cut
transversely. Seeds 3—10, flattened obovoid, about 2 cm x 1 cm x 0.5
cm, purplish-black, with chartaceous testa and a large lighter-coloured
hilum.
Growth and Development
Seeds
germinate 14—40 days after sowing. Seedlings grow rapidly and usually
reach bearing age 5—6 years after planting; asexually propagated trees
bear fruit much earlier. The flowers are pollinated by insects and are
usually self-fertile. Flowering is associated with the main shoot
growth period, normally in the rainy season. Fruit ripens 4—5 months
later (from late December to March or April in the Philippines,
May—July in Indonesia).
Other Botanical Information
The large genus Chrysophyllum L. is mainly native to tropical America, with only about 6 native South-East Asian species. Chrysophyllum oliviforme L. (Philippines: caimitillo) from tropical America has also been introduced in South-East Asia, but it is not as popular as Chrysophyllum cainito. The fruit is black, about 2 cm x 1 cm, with one large seed.
In Chrysophyllum cainito
there is a clear distinction between trees with purplish and those with
greenish fruits. Considerable diversity in green-fruited forms is found
in Guatemala. A few cultivars have been named, including 'Grimal',
'Haitian', 'New Combe' and 'Weeping' introduced to Florida and
Queensland; and 'Lunti' and 'Lila', both in the Philippines.
Ecology
Caimito grows
successfully on almost all types of soil and in a range of climates.
Throughout South-East Asia it thrives in the lowlands (up to 400 m
elevation) and in areas with a distinct dry season. In those parts of
the Philippines where the dry season is most pronounced, undue loss of
leaves and less juicy or even shrivelled fruit indicate that drought is
too severe and irrigation is needed. Fertile, well-drained and slightly
acidic soils are preferred.
Propagation and planting
Caimito
may be propagated by seed and by marcotting, inarching, grafting and
budding. Seeds from ripe fruit are sown 1 cm deep and 2—3 cm apart in
seed boxes or seed-beds and watered regularly. When 3—5 mature leaves
have developed, the seedlings are potted. The plants are watered
regularly and provided with partial shade. They may be used as
rootstocks after 6—8 months.
Asexual propagation is recommended to
multiply outstanding trees. Cleft grafting is the most common
propagation method and gives a high percentage take. Chrysophyllum oliviforme
is a compatible rootstock, but most grafts are made on caimito
seedlings. In the field, plants are set 10—12 m apart. Planting is done
best at the onset of the rainy season.
Husbandry
Regular
ring weeding and irrigation during prolonged rainless periods ensures
uninterrupted growth of plants. Fertilizer is applied at the rate of
150—200 g of ammonium sulphate per tree twice a year for
non-bearing trees. At the start of fruiting, 500 g of complete
fertilizer is applied twice a year. Full-grown trees may require 3 kg
or more of complete fertilizer per year. The fertilizer is applied at
the onset and towards the end of the rainy season in a ring or in
shallow holes beneath the tree canopy. Trees are pruned to a desirable
shape by allowing only 2—3 branches to develop and by removal of
sagging and interlacing branches and watershoots.
Diseases and Pests
The fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae causes dry, sooty rot on fruits. This can be controlled by copper fungicides.
In Queensland Fusarium solani kills
young trees and affects limbs of older trees. The insect pests that
attack caimito include twig borers, carpenter moth, mealy bugs, scales
and fruit flies. The oriental fruit fly Dacus dorsalis
is a serious pest of ripening fruit and renders the fruit unfit for
human consumption. The damage may be reduced by wrapping young fruits
and collecting and destroying the infested fruits. Birds, bats and wild
cats can also cause considerable damage to ripe fruits.
Harvesting
Fruits
should be picked when fully ripe: shiny light green or yellowish-brown
skin for the green form and pale to dark purple for the purple form.
Harvesting is selective because fruits on a tree do not ripen at the
same time. Fruits are harvested by cutting the stalk with a pair of
clippers or by using a long bamboo pole with a net.
Yield
Fully mature trees may produce as many as 1000 fruits or more per season. However, there is much variation in fruitfulness.
Handling After Harvest
The
protruding stalk is clipped off and the unblemished fruit is packed in
bamboo baskets lined with banana leaves and delivered immediately to
the market. Ripe fruit keeps only for a few days, but the fruit may be
stored for a few weeks under refrigeration at 3—6°C and 90% humidity.
Genetic Resources
Preliminary
evaluation of seedling trees showed a wide variability in yield and
size, shape, colour, quality and period of maturity of the fruit.
Breeding
Breeding
work should focus on the following fruit characteristics: round shape,
weight 200—300 g, medium thick skin, few or no seeds, sweet and juicy
and resistant to fruit borer and fruit fly infestation. The tree should
be a prolific and regular bearer.
Prospects
In South-East Asia
caimito will remain a characteristic garden tree for the relatively dry
lowland areas. Cultivars that are so prolific that fruiting controls
tree size, or that have a specific reputation in the market, might be
grown commercially in orchards. Current selections still have to prove
that they can meet these requirements.
Literature
Galang, F.G., 1955. Fruit and nut growing in the Philippines. AIA Printing Press, Malabon, Rizal, the Philippines. pp. 392—393.
Hensleigh,
T.E. & Holaway, B.K. (Editors), 1988. Agroforestry species for the
Philippines. AIA Printers, Malabon, Metro Manila, the Philippines. pp.
104—106.
Honrade, M.L., 1972. Caimito (Chrysophyllum cainito
L., Sapotaceae). In: Cultural directions for Philippine agricultural
crops. Vol. 1 (Fruits). Public Affairs Office Press. Bureau of Plant
Industry, Manila, the Philippines. pp. 63—67.
Marshall, J.R., 1986. Star apple. Fact Sheet No 6, Rare Fruit Council of Australia, Cairns.
Morton, J.F., 1987. Fruits of warm climates. Creative Resources Systems, Winterville, N.C. pp. 408—410.
Sastrapradja,
S., Sutisna, U., Panggabean, G., Mogea, J.P., Sukardjo, S. &
Sunarto, A.T., 1980. Fruits. Projek Penelitian Potensi Sumber Daya
Ekonomi - LIPI Publication Series No SDE-41. pp. 36—37.
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